A Guide To Chicago's Hottest New Year's Eve Parties

Alright, everyone. You've put off New Year's Eve plans long enough, and the time has come to step your game up. Follow our guide to a classy way of toasting in the New Year and surprise your friends by making the plans at one of Chicago's top New Year's Eve parties - they'll thank you for it.

Untitled's Metropolis Ball is no ordinary NYE bash. Think of an interactice art show, combined with music and dancing, live theater and fashion, and throw in some lavish circus performer. Beginning to get an idea? With live music provided by names such as Angela Eve and Eve's Parlor Cabaret and Cash O'Reily & The Downright Daddies, this ball is quite the avant-garde new years experiece, and one that you won't want to wait on to buy tickets for.

Forget all the pomp and circumstance of a lavish New Year's Eve party and share fond memories over a special five-course sharing menu of guacamole, ceviche, tacos, botanas, and more at River North hotspot Mercadito. Want to celebrate the evening with a little bit of style? Head downstairs to a live DJ at Double A, the restaurant's subterranean lounge, accompanied by a three-hour open bar of drinks such as the Midnight Fizz, a festive concoction of tequila blanco, cassis, agave nectar, lemon, and sparkling wine.

Dancing, four course meal, live acoustic music, and the chance for guests to leave with giveaways like a complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot of compensation for your bar tab - Filini's Black and White Masquerade will be a fun evening on all accounts. And who doesn't love the chance to throw on your best black dress?

New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruises From Navy Pier

Time: Varying Times
Price: Varying Prices

Ring in 2014 on
a New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruise to see some good old fashion fireworks over Navy Pier at their Midnight Fireworks display. Cruise lines include Mystic Blue, Odyssey, Spirit of Chicago (for a lunch cruise & a dinner cruise), and Anita Dee, all offering a lake
cruises to take in the panorama of Chicago's magnificent skyline including a
front-row location to see the Pier's dazzling New Year's display.

It doens't get much classier than The Drake. Ring in 2014 at the Chicago Scene Magazine's 14th Annual New Year's Eve Party with over 2000 of your closest friends in the heart of Gold Coast. DJ's this year will be Dance Floor Junkies, alongside four ballrooms and 45 bartenders. Looking to close out 2013 with a bang? This is your party.

Held in one of Chicago's most historic hotels (including all six of its ballrooms), The Palmer House New Year's Eve Soiree will be as grand as the the hotel itself. It will feature live music from celebrity DJs, a pre and post-party, and top of the line cocktails as proceeds benefit the Starlight Children's Foundation - Midwest Chapter. Did we mention live casino gambling, carnival games, a silent auction, and a champagne toast and confetti storm at midnight? No wonder ABC 7's premier Midwest New Year's Eve event.

Author: Emmy Carragher

Emmy is a former staff member at Choose Chicago, and is ever on the hunt for the perfect cup of coffee. Originally from outside Boston, Emmy's love for Chicago began when she moved here five years ago. A graduate of Loyola University Chicago, Emmy is embracing the local dining scene, nightlife, culture and lifestyle with a friendly Midwest demeanor, but always with an East Coast edge (she can't help it).